The STI is a programme to support collaborative research and development aimed at improving the sustainability of UK business. It is jointly funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It will operate in the following ways:

• A LINK programme, funded by DTI, EPSRC, BBSRC and DEFRA which provides up to 50% funding of collaborative R&D projects between businesses and universities

• DTI grants to businesses for specific projects, up to 50% of eligible costs

• EPSRC funding for networks

• ESRC fellowship grants to academia

The total funding available is c£21m (£10m from DTI, £5m form the EPSRC, £3m from ESRC, c£2m from DEFRA and £1m from BBSRC) for ten calls for proposals (one in November and another in April every year until April 2005).

BACKGROUND

Sustainable development is a complex subject, which will continue to develop. The Government’s vision of it is based on 4 broad objectives:

• maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment

• social progress which recognises the needs of everyone

• effective protection of the environment

• prudent use of natural resources.

It incorporates the need to balance economic growth with protection of the environment and social equity – the three pillars of sustainable development.

OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAMME

The Sustainable Technologies Initiative's objective is to get industry, in conjunction with the science base, to develop and adopt new technologies which are more sustainable and which will contribute to sustainable development and competitiveness. The Programme is primarily aimed at decoupling economic growth from adverse environmental impacts, such as emissions of greenhouse gases, waste production, and use of hazardous materials or, more generally, through poor efficiency in resource use. This has been described as the need to achieve a factor 4 increase in resource efficiency.

The STI is also based on the principle that progress towards factor 4 will require step changes in processes and products. This is unlikely to be achieved with incremental improvements. The STI is, therefore, particularly keen to see proposals which would represent truly novel approaches to the development and production of processes, products and services. In essence, we are looking for proposals that will integrate sustainability into processes and products from the design stage. Sustainability should not be a bolt-on.

Further Information:

All the forms and latest information is held on the Programme Co-ordinator’s web site at:

www.oakdenehollins.co.uk/sti.html

Contact:

The STI co-ordinator is:

Nick Morley
2nd Floor, Pembroke Court
22–28 Cambridge Street
Aylesbury HP20 1RS

Tel: (01296) 337165
Fax: (01296) 330351
E-mail: nick.morley@oakdenehollins.co.uk

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